10 questions about your last IEP meeting. One honest score. Because you deserve to know if what happened was normal — or not.
Think about your most recent IEP meeting. Answer each question honestly. There's no wrong answer — only your experience.
Question 1 of 10
Were you notified about the meeting with enough time to prepare?
Schools must give you advance notice including the purpose, time, location, and attendees.
34 CFR §300.322(a)
Question 2 of 10
Were your concerns listened to and documented in the meeting notes?
Parent input must be considered and documented. Your concerns are required to be part of the IEP development process.
34 CFR §300.324(a)(1)(ii)
Question 3 of 10
Did the team discuss your child's strengths — not just deficits?
The IEP team is required to consider the strengths of your child as part of developing the plan.
34 CFR §300.324(a)(1)(i)
Question 4 of 10
Were you given a copy of your procedural safeguards (your rights)?
The school must provide you with a copy of your rights at least once a year, and at every IEP meeting upon request.
34 CFR §300.504(a)
Question 5 of 10
Did you feel like the IEP was already written before the meeting started?
Coming to a meeting with a pre-written IEP that doesn't include your input violates the requirement for meaningful parent participation.
34 CFR §300.322 / Deal v. Hamilton County (6th Cir. 2004)
Question 6 of 10
Were all the required team members present?
The IEP team must include a regular ed teacher, special ed teacher, LEA representative, and someone who can interpret evaluation results — unless you agreed in writing to excuse someone.
34 CFR §300.321(a)
Question 7 of 10
Were your child's goals measurable and specific?
IEP goals must be measurable so you can track whether your child is actually making progress. Vague goals like "will improve reading" aren't enough.
34 CFR §300.320(a)(2) / Endrew F. v. Douglas County (2017)
Question 8 of 10
Did the school discuss placement in the least restrictive environment?
Your child has the right to be educated with non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate. The school must justify any removal from general education.
34 CFR §300.114 (LRE)
Question 9 of 10
Did you receive Prior Written Notice after any changes were proposed or refused?
Whenever the school proposes or refuses to change identification, evaluation, placement, or services, they must give you written notice explaining what, why, and what evidence they used.
34 CFR §300.503
Question 10 of 10
Did you leave the meeting feeling like an equal member of the team?
You are a required and equal member of the IEP team. If you felt dismissed, talked over, or pressured — that's not how it's supposed to work.
34 CFR §300.321(a)(1) / IDEA §614(d)(1)(B)
—
out of 10
Your Breakdown
What Now?
Knowledge is power. Now that you know where things stand, here's what you can do next.